Delmarva Today 7-23-22
Harold Wilson's guest is Donald Ritchie. They’re discussing Ritchie's new book The Columnist about the life and work of the famous columnist Drew Pearson.
For those of you who don’t remember Drew Pearson, for forty years he produced a newspaper column, Washington Merry-Go- Round, that was syndicated in more than 600 newspapers. He was a veteran at revealing secrets, policy disputes, bigotry and hypocrisy. As a result, he was more than a vexation to seven presidential administrations. Pearson covered the Great Depression, World War II, the Cold War, the civil rights movement, and the Vietnam war. During this era, his column, radio program and TV program caused sleepless nights for many congressmen. Pearson was among the first of the muckrakers and his investigative prowess, skill, and persistence helped give life to the investigative reporters we are so familiar with today.
Don Ritchie is the Historian Emeritus of the US Senate. He conducted an oral history program at the Senate and edited for publication the transcripts of the previously closed hearings of Senator Joseph McCarthy. Don is the author of more than 30 books.